Weather update: Grapevine, other mountain roads close on Thanksgiving due to snow
Many holiday travelers needed alternate routes getting out of the central San Joaquin Valley on Thursday.
Heavy snow closed the Grapevine early in the day, according to the California Highway Patrol. Vehicles already on the pass to the other side were assisted and the roadway cleared.
Highway 58 also closed briefly amid heavy snow over Tehachapi pass late Thursday morning, CHP said. It was reopened with escorts shortly after noon.
CHP officers were escorting southbound drivers on I-5 on Thursday afternoon. As of 8:20 p.m. Thursday the I-5 was fully closed again due to snow for an unknown duration of time.
Officials recommended taking Highway 101 to get into Southern California.
The Generals Highway from Hospital Rock in Sequoia National Park to Grant Grove in Kings Canyon National Park was closed Wednesday evening due to storms, the parks announced.
In Yosemite National Park, Tioga Pass and Glacier Point roads were closed. The roads typically close around this time each fall and reopen in the spring when weather conditions are safe for traffic.
The Tioga Pass Road closure extends from Tuolumne Grove, just east of Crane Flat, to Tioga Pass Entrance Station. Cars cannot drive to Tuolumne Meadows or enter Yosemite National Park from the east, according to the National Park Service.
A rainy week in Central California
As of Thursday morning, 0.45 inches of rain had fallen in Fresno, according to NWS Meteorologist Jim Andersen. It was the first precipitation for the valley since May, the NWS said.
A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect for the westside hills, and a Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the Sierra Nevada. Both the advisory and warning will expire at 4 p.m. Friday.
Highs in Fresno will top out at 49 degrees on Friday.
The central San Joaquin Valley may see up to a quarter of an inch more of precipitation coming into Friday, with higher amounts in the foothills, Andersen said. Up to a foot of snow is possible above 2,000 feet on Interstate 5 and Highway 58. Higher mountain areas could see a foot or two of more snow before a brief break from wet weather arrives.
“We should start to see a gradual decrease (in precipitation) in the overnight hours,” Andersen said.
Rain is expected to begin again Saturday, and up to three-quarters of an inch could fall on Sunday in Fresno. Snow levels will start low Saturday afternoon but climb to 7,000 feet by Sunday.
Andersen said several systems will move through the Valley throughout the week with “little breaks in between.”
A funnel cloud appeared near El Nido in Merced County Thursday afternoon. According to NWS Meteorologist Jeff Barlow funnel clouds are common this time of year and their is no threat of a tornado.
This story was originally published November 28, 2019 at 7:51 AM with the headline "Weather update: Grapevine, other mountain roads close on Thanksgiving due to snow."